East Seaham vs Seaham, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
East Seaham and Seaham are both Port Stephens rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 32.6 km and 28.8 km from Newcastle CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Seaham runs $309 a year cheaper than East Seaham, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,543.
Over 10 years, Seaham costs about $3,500 less to run than East Seaham. That's about $7 a week.
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Seaham
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | East Seaham | Seaham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,377 | $1,377 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,750 | $6,441 | +$309 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,392 | $11,083 | +$309 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,042 | $7,042 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | East Seaham | Seaham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,342 | $2,342 | - |
| Unit | $1,909 | $1,909 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, East Seaham vs Seaham (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Seaham costs $309 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,543 in favour of Seaham.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $309 per year. East Seaham is 32.6 km from Newcastle CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,042 and $7,042 a year, so the $309 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,377 a year.
- Driving commute favours Seaham by $309 a year, $6,441 against $6,750.
- Building insurance is identical at $1,850 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | East Seaham cumulative | Seaham cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,392 | $11,083 | $309 |
| Year 3 | $35,212 | $34,256 | $956 |
| Year 5 | $60,482 | $58,841 | $1,641 |
| Year 10 | $130,597 | $127,054 | $3,543 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Seaham or Seaham cheaper to live in?
Seaham is cheaper to run by car at $11,083 per year versus $11,392 for East Seaham, a difference of $309 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in East Seaham and Seaham?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in East Seaham (Port Stephens rates (OLG) and $1,415 in Seaham (Port Stephens rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,377 in East Seaham and $1,377 in Seaham. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between East Seaham and Seaham?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,750 from East Seaham and $6,441 from Seaham to Newcastle CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from East Seaham and $2,400 from Seaham.
What is the 10-year cost difference between East Seaham and Seaham?
At 3% annual cost growth, East Seaham costs a cumulative $130,597 and Seaham costs $127,054 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,543 in favour of Seaham. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of East Seaham and Seaham suits you better?
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Sources: Port Stephens rates (OLG and Port Stephens rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.